Meet the Pilot: F-35 Demo Team Commander Melanie ‘MACH’ Kluesner
Capt. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner has the Air Force in her DNA. Her parents, grandparents, and uncle all served in the United States Air Force as pilots, mechanics and medical professionals. That family history, paired with a flyover at the Air Force Academy she saw as a kid, fueled a passion to serve her country.
From her first Combat Air Force assignment at Kunsan AFB in South Korea to a special Marine exchange, Mach’s grit, determination, and hard work led to her role as the newest Commander of the F-35 Demo Team, where she’ll travel to airshows across the country to showcase the world’s most advanced fighter jet.
Ahead of Heritage Flight Training Course 2024, we sat down with “MACH” to learn more about her flying career, following in her father’s footsteps, and how she wants to be remembered.
Q: What first sparked your love of aviation?
A: My dad was an F-16 pilot; my mom was a KC-135 pilot; my uncle flew C-130s; and my maternal grandparents were a nurse and aircraft mechanic for the Air Force. I was surrounded by a military family and always admired them for each signing up to serve their country. From a young age, I knew without a doubt that I also wanted to join the Air Force.
Q: Do you have a specific moment or experience that ignited your passion for pursuing a military career?
A: My parents took me to an Air Force Academy football game when I was about 7 years old. When the F-16s flew over the stadium, I looked at my dad and said, “That’ll be me someday.” I just remember thinking, “That is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. That’s a job that somebody gets to do? How epic is that?!” I never looked back from that moment and had my sights set on flying fighters ever since.
Q: What was it like growing up in a military family with both of your parents having been Air Force fighter pilots?
A: I always looked up to my parents and really wanted to make them proud my whole life because I admired what they did.
Both of my parents left the Air Force after about 10 years. By the time I was born, they were no longer in the military, but they did a good job of sharing their experiences with my siblings and me. I was fascinated by every story they shared, from how they had to make their beds at the Academy to flying all over the world, and I was drawn to the idea of being part of something bigger than myself.
My husband also grew up in a military family. One of his grandfathers was the Wing Commander at George AFB and flew F-4s in Vietnam, while the other was a Marine who fought at Iwo Jima. He has since passed but we are proud to have that Marine heritage as well.
Q: While you began your career in the F-16, you have now spent much of your flying time in the F-35. What specifically drew you to transition to this aircraft?
A: When I was in Korea, I did a one-year tour with the F-16. At that time, they were looking for limited experience F-16 pilots to potentially switch over to the F-35 to make the transition easier.
I hadn’t realized flying the F-35 was even on the table for me since it was early in my career. The F-35 is a cream of the crop fighter jet, but I always had my sights set on the F-16 since that’s what my dad flew. So, when they started taking those limited-experience people, I realized this was my chance to challenge myself.
I was fortunate that a Marine exchange F-35 slot came up and my Commander encouraged me to apply for it. It was the chance to get my foot in the door, and I took it.
Q; Any notable personal anecdotes or mission stories from your time in the skies?
A: During my Marine exchange I deployed on the USS America, so I have a lot of good stories from that experience. I recall being in the jet for the first time, getting ready to take off and launch off the boat, which is a very disciplined sequence. I was pretty nervous and had to remind myself that all the training and preparation I’d done up to this point was going to get me through.
That was a pivotal moment in my career where I went from this relatively inexperienced young fighter pilot, to doing something totally out of my comfort zone that is inherently dangerous. It gave me confidence and after that deployment, I was of the mindset that I can do anything if I study and prepare well enough and have a solid team watching my back. Everything else seemed a little bit easier once I had done what was so unfamiliar to me, and I was grateful for that unique opportunity.
Q: Have you ever flown in a Warbird?
A: I have not had that opportunity, but I’m really looking forward to it at Heritage Flight Training Course. My husband’s grandfather flew F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam, and he has the most incredible war stories. He was in Operation Bolo with Robin Olds and hearing him tell stories of his air-to-air kills is like having a real-life legend in front of me. I’m hoping to get the chance to fly in an F-4 one day for him.
Q: Your mother was in the first graduating class of women at the Air Force Academy and helped pave the way for women in military aviation. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from her that you’ve taken with you in your own journey?
A: My mom was of the mindset that it doesn’t matter what you look like; if you show up and perform, you can do whatever you want to accomplish. I take that with me into the cockpit and into my career.
Nobody cares if you’re a boy or girl, they just want you to be a good wingman. For most of my career, I would look around the room, and I was the only girl. I remind myself that no one notices that more than me, and as long as I don’t let that get in my own head, everything’s going to be fine.
Q: How are you following in her footsteps to help inspire the next generation of female pilots and aviators?
A: A lot of times people look at career fields to see someone that looks like them, and if they don’t, it hinders them. One of the things that I would like to share with people on the road is that nobody has to look or act exactly like you for you to be able to fit in.
Something I figured out later in my career is that I can be exactly who I am. I’ll still be disciplined and hard working because that is what it takes to be in the military, but I can stand out and have unique qualities. You don’t want to work with all the exact same people that think and talk just like you because, in my opinion, that’s not what makes a great team.
I hope that younger kids can understand that being themselves is really important, even in a career that is as serious as being a fighter pilot. We want people with diverse backgrounds and experiences because it forges stronger connections as a team.
Q: What did it mean to you to receive the same fighter assignment as your father?
A: We actually rolled dice and I got the lowest, so it was totally up to fate, but if I could go back, it would’ve been my #1. Kunsan is perfect for a first fighter pilot assignment and getting to follow in my dad’s footsteps was really special.
At Kunsan, I was in the Juvats squadron while he had been in the Pantons, so it turned out that we were rivals. But when he visited, we walked into the Panton bar and found his nametag still up there on the wall from 1983. I took my own name tag, put it next to his and got a picture with it, which was a surreal moment.
Now, I fly with the Black Widows here at Hill AFB, which was the same squadron my dad was stationed in. I am privileged to have followed in his footsteps my whole career.
Q: What does it mean to you to assume the role of F-35 Demo Team commander this season?
A: I’m grateful that the Air Force gives this level of responsibility to a Captain. I’m humbled that I’m entrusted to lead a team like this, and I feel ready. I’ve had a lot of experiences that have given me confidence to do something that holds a lot of responsibility, and I love sharing the experiences that I’ve had in the Air Force with other people.
Q: Can you tell us more about what you’ve learned from “Beo” as she hands off the commander role? How did you work with her to ensure a smooth transition?
A: Learning from someone who’s done this for 4 years has been a privilege, and she’s taught me a lot about the airshow world and given me some great advice. She really perfected the routine and I’m excited to carry that forward.
Q: What are you most looking forward to as the F-35 Demo Team commander?
A: What am I not looking forward to!? This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The first F-35 demo pilot, Major Andrew “Dojo” Olsen told me to enjoy every minute because it’s going to go by fast. That’s exactly what I’m expecting. Getting to travel all over the world to fly at airshows is going to be incredible.
I loved being Beo’s safety observer because I got to see the crowd get on their feet cheering when the F-35 was about to come on. Now, that’s going to be me in cockpit, which I still can’t believe. I’m looking forward to honoring the sacrifices of our military, past and present, by flying the demos.
I’m also excited for the opportunity to talk with people of all ages. I love listening to the veterans that come to the F-35 tent and share stories, and the kids always ask the funniest questions. I love seeing the excitement and energy on their faces, especially because I was that kid at 7 years old. I really appreciated the people that took me seriously at that age and told me that I needed to work hard, study hard and so much more to achieve this dream.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received that you’d like to pass along to aspiring aviators?
A: I would say to never close any doors. Growing up, I always tried to pick the most difficult thing that I could possibly do because that was only going to give me more opportunities.
During high school, I signed up for AP Calculus when I wasn’t great at math; I applied to schools I never thought I’d get into; and I tried out for varsity sports when I wasn’t sure if I was good enough. I had to just go for it. When it came to becoming the demo pilot, I wasn’t sure if I was qualified enough. I apply this to everything in life. You have to go for the challenge because it’s only going to open up another door for you and you never want to close paths before it’s too early. If I was always doing the most challenging thing, I figured I was heading in the right direction.
Q: What’s one thing you’d like to be remembered for in your aviation career?
A: From when I started flying in a CESSNA to when I started pilot training, I’ve never been a perfect pilot right off the bat. However, I am a very hard worker and that’s what I want people to remember me for.
Even on the days where I didn’t do my best, I know that I studied, prepared, and worked as hard as I could. Overall, I hope that people look at me and say she worked hard to get where she did.
Q: What’s your favorite aviation movie?
A: Top Gun: Maverick because the female fighter pilot “Phoenix” was really well portrayed. I was stoked about that.